Deer Hunting with a 1876

[Dirty Brass]

Welcome kashe, and best of luck to you up there in Marathon(?) county. I have relatives that live near Athens, and they have had great success over the years up there in that area!

I hunt over in Clark county, about 50 miles west. I'm looking forward to trying my luck with the 45/60 or 45/75, and my boys are encouraging me to use one of them on opening day, but the lack of scope makes me nervous at my age. Iron sights and me don't get along too good on moving targets  I will carry one during the week though - should see a nice doe in between weekends I hope! Again, best of luck to you!

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy Kashe
Glad to have you . Good luck on your Hunt . It's amazing how many of us are out there . Lovers of the Vintage Hunting .
I can't wait to see the pictures of the 2008 Deer harvest . We were muzzle loading for Deer and had Turkeys close enough to shake hands. The next weekend was Turkey season and those Turkeys were no where to be found . I had my old double ready with black powder shells will have to wait till the December season . Our ( Kentucky Rifle  Season ) opens this coming saturday and we will be ready . Remember one shot one kill .

[Dirty Brass]

Good luck to you Rowdy - happy hunting!

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy pards
Well it's Deer season in Kentucky and I have been hunting have had lots of fun  . I have seen several deer mostly small bucks and lots of does . I am trying to make myself wait for the big one . Patiences my friend the wait will  deliver the reward .

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy Pards
Today I was able to use my 76 on a deer .And yes I was pleased with the performance of the 45-60 it did a GREAT job .
I was siting in my blind at about 11:30 when I noticed the Buck slipping through the woods . He was at about 75 yards and I didn't have much time to get on him because he was preparing to go into heavy brush . Iwas on him and the he stopped behind a tree and he stood there for what seemed like forever . Then he stepped out and I put the lead to him . I watch the reaction to the shoot and I knew I had a good hit ,then he turns and heads toward the blind .  When he got about 40 yards he stopped again so I fired one last shot into the neck which dropped him in his tracks . When I field dressed the deer the first shot had hit the lungs and heart how they can walk after a shoot like that I do not know The 76 harvested a 8 point buck and I will use it on a doe next , will post pictures in a couple days .

[Dirty Brass]

Congratulations! Glad to hear of your success! It's amazing how tough the bucks can be - I've seen them run 100 yards with the heart disintegrated from a shot. He was nice enough to offer a second follow-up shot Were you shooting BP or smokeless? I sighted in my 45/60 about a week ago at 100 yards, +/-, and it held nice 2" - 2 1/2" groups with 300 grain bullets over 23.5 gr. of 5744. My BP loads (Triple Seven) didn't fair quite as well, but quite adequate for hunting within that range. 

I hope to follow in your footsteps in 8 days. That's when our gun season opens here in Wisconsin. Once again - congrats!

[Tjackstephens]

Way to go Rowdy!!    Will be looking for some pictures. TJ

[Grizzly Adams]

Congratulations, Rowdy! 

........but where are the pictures!?

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy Pards
I used imr 4198 not black powder this year . Next year I will hunt with black powder .
Brassie I have sighted my rifle in at 50 yards because in the woods where I hunt that's more the range I would be shooting at .
and yes I did practice at different ranges prior to season . the farthest I shot  was out to 90 yards in practice .
As far as the pictures there on my wifes camera and will post them when we get them on a disc .
I took my Son hunting on saturday and we had a great time he is 12 years old and I think the boys a Buck magnet . We saw 2 fine bucks that day one came within 20 yards of the blind .This buck has his nose in the dirt and Does on his mind . But my  BUCK tag was done filled . Will bring Nathan  back in December for the Youth season and let him use the 1873 in 45 colt .

[Dirty Brass]

Is there a way to adjust down from the rear sight or did you just change you sight picture level? Mine (front blade) was almost dead bottom accross the rear buckhorn at 95 yards. That was at the lowest setting of the rear sight. I expect my shot will be considerably less than 95 yards from the stand I hunt out of, so I just planned on aiming low

[Rowdy Fulcher]

 Howdy Pards
Hope the picture came out and yes I haven't raised the bar to HIGH .

[Grogan]

NICE! 

[Dirty Brass]

as Larry the cable guy would say, now that there is a respectable deer - I don't care who you are! Good goin'! 

[Tjackstephens]

Rowdy, nice deer. If you click on the picture it will come up larger. How about that NCOWS sticker on the back of your Jeep. Hope Nathan gets a good one in Dec. TJ

[Grizzly Adams]

Nice buck, Rowdy!  Thanks for sharing your hunt with us.

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy Pards
Well gun season is over and I wasn't able to smoke a doe . Next year I will Hunt with Black Powder that is the plan .I hope everyone is having aSAFE hunting season I know that all the Hunters are having a GREAT time in the field . I have thought about having the barrel changed on my rifle to a 24 inch half octagon/half round that would carry more hunter friendly . What do you think ?

[Joe Lansing]

Take a look at my posts under SHORTENING A 76 RIFLE re. making your rifle more user friendly.
                                                                            J.L.

[Black River Johnny]

Well I think Teddy would be proud. Got a nice spike buck with the 45-75. 70 grns bp an a BA bulluet 350grns. the buck was only about 25 yrds, I was hoping for something further to test out my skills but hey i will take a nice clean kill anyday. the buck only went 30 yrds, nice hole, good blood trail  still have a doe tag and the season is open for a few more days. but with the rut over the deer have done a Claude Rains.

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Johnny
Great job cowboy . I bet  TR was smiling and saying Bully when you downed that spike . Hope you got a picture of that spike .We want to show the World that  lever guns are still the best Deer rifles . Hope you get a doe   . What barrel length do you have ??

[Grizzly Adams]

You guys are killing me!

Grizzly, who didn't draw a tag this year, Adams.